Lamborghini to Streamline Next-Generation Gallardo Lineup

When the Lamborghini Jalpa faced dwindling sales numbers back in the late '80s, the Bologna-based supercar-maker decided it was time to cut the cord on the fading model. It took a few years - fifteen, to be precise, but in the end it filled the Jalpa's void with the V10-engined Gallardo. The impressive Raging Bull has run its course and Lamborghini has announced that its successor will make its way to the market in 2014. Here we have some insight into what to expect.

According to a report by Car and Driver, Lamborghini aims to streamline the next Gallardo's catalog, the comany's American COO Michael Lock citing confusion among potential customers and financial considerations as the impetus for the simplification. The current Gallardo has been offered as coupe and convertible body-styles, rear- or all-wheel-drive, manual and paddle-shift transmissions and in an endless array of variants. Instead of the Superleggera, Spyder Performante, Balboni, Super Trofeo Stradale, Bicolore and Tricolore and countless special editions, expect the next model to bring that number down to just a handful.

The new model will still be offered in both all-wheel and rear-wheel drive configurations, however Lamborghini remains steadfast in its decision to do away with manual gearboxes. It's been a year, according to Lock, since Lambo sold a Gallardo with a manual. That may be a bitter pill for purists to swallow, but it's hard to argue with more advanced transmission technology like the automated dual-clutch gearbox which the Volkswagen Group - a pioneer in the technology - has earmarked for the next Gallardo.